Columbia River Fishing Report: Rain, Springer Pickup, Sturgeon Steady

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for May 14, 2025. We rolled into the day with mostly cloudy skies and temps starting in the mid-50s, warming up into the 60s as the day goes on. Rain is in the forecast again, which could freshen up the bite and bring new runs of fish pushing through the system. Sunrise today was at 5:41 AM and sunset will be at 8:36 PM, so you have plenty of daylight to get after it. Tidal movement in Portland is moderate today, and with a little rain and those shifting flows, you can expect fish to move, especially during the outgoing tide. Make sure to check a local tide chart for timing if you’re fishing the lower river or around Sauvie Island. The spring chinook salmon run is picking up but still hasn’t hit its full stride. Recent catches have been scattered, with some springers being reported from the airport stretch downstream and in the Bonneville area, though it’s still on the slow side. The Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife departments are opening select days for spring chinook in the lower Columbia this month, so check regulations before you hit the water. There’s a good forecast for upriver spring chinook this year, so the best could be just around the corner[1][5]. Sturgeon action has been steady, with folks catching good numbers on the lower Willamette and Columbia, especially on catch-and-release trips. Down around the mouth of the Willamette and near the St. Johns Bridge are reliable spots—expect sturgeon to run from shaker size to some real giants in the deeper holes[2]. For baits and lures, trolling herring or prawn spinners behind a flasher is still the best bet for spring chinook. Chartreuse and natural bait colors are working, especially with the water just a bit murky from recent rains. Some anglers are picking up fish on Brad’s Super Baits stuffed with tuna or scent. For sturgeon, fresh smelt or squid is the go-to—especially with smelt still in the system up to the airport[1][5]. Hot spots worth checking today include the Portland International Airport stretch down to Sauvie Island for salmon, especially on a moving tide, and the Willamette-Columbia confluence for both salmon and sturgeon. Meldrum Bar up by Oregon City is also worth a look, especially if the Willamette starts to clear up. Trout fishing in nearby lakes and rivers is a strong option right now, with good spring hatches and hungry fish if you need a break from the salmon grind[3]. That’s it for today’s Columbia River report. Tight lines, fish smart, and here’s to big bites and bent rods! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.